Police: Foul play not suspected in Bethalto death

BETHALTO — Police officers found a man dead in the backyard of a home on the 100 block of East Sherman Street early Monday morning, according to authorities. Foul play is not suspected.

A resident of the 200 block of Park Drive called police around 7 a.m. and reported a “man down” in the backyard, Bethalto Police Department Lieutenant Craig B. Welch said in a news release.

Officers and a Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department EMT arrived on scene and found “no signs of life on the man,” the release stated. The Madison County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police and the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene, according to Welch.

The investigation thus far does not point to criminal violence, Welch said in the release. Evidence indicates the man had locked himself out of his home late Sunday or early Monday. The man apparently broke a window to enter his back door, cutting his arm. He may have died of blood loss. There is no evidence to suggest he contacted anyone for help. The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities will keep the man’s identity until his family has time to make arrangements, Welch said.